Carbon Emissions & Sequestration Technologist

Duration:

Permanent .  A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.

Background 

Teagasc is expanding its research and KT programme to rapidly advance the science and implementation of current and new measures to meet the biodiversity and climate challenges that farmers are facing. In addition to new appointments, there is a large capital investment to establish the National Agricultural Sustainability Research and Innovation Centre (NASRIC). New appointees will join current research teams and will utilise the research infrastructures across the entire organisation.

Changes in agricultural practices associated with the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, World Trade Organisation negotiations, Kyoto and Gothenburg protocols have highlighted the importance of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, the national Climate Action Plan has set a 51% reduction target for national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) highlighted the key role in both enhancing carbon sequestration in agricultural soils as well as reducing CO2 emissions from organic soils.

Basic Function 

Manage and maintain the Eddy Covariance Flux Towers around the country to establish baseline carbon emission and sequestration fluxes for Irish agricultural soils. Secondly, develop the new national soil carbon and nitrogen stable isotope facility to complement the soil carbon sequestration research within the national agricultural soil carbon observatory.

This competition seeks to recruit a permanent research Technologist who will develop measurement techniques associated with soil carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycling. The position will establish the new national soil carbon and nitrogen stable isotope facility in the NASRIC facility in Johnstown Castle. The Technologist will also support the range of greenhouse gas analytical facilities including the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory. The appointee will join a very well-resourced team of permanent and contract staff carrying out greenhouse gas mitigation research. They will provide expert technical support to the programme to improve understanding of carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils. This position will be based in the new National Agricultural Sustainability Research and Innovation Centre Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Teagasc - Johnstown Castle is Ireland’s leading research institute on soils and environment related research, and conducts both fundamental and applied research on a wide range of subjects, e.g. soil quality, nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, agro-ecology, and land use.

• Principally, to manage and maintain the Eddy Covariance Flux Towers around the country to establish baseline carbon emission and sequestration fluxes for Irish agricultural soils.

• To establish and manage the new national soil carbon and nitrogen isotope tracing laboratory and develop methodologies in relation to natural abundance and tracer monitoring techniques for 13C, 15N and 18O.

• To oversee the establishment and management of a network of eddy covariance sites and associated automated soil chamber systems being established under the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory across Ireland.

• Manage the associated eddy covariance and associated databases and link to national and international data repositories.

• Contribute to high quality technical papers on carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils.

• Establish strong collaborative links within Teagasc and national/international researchers. 

• Work closely with Research Officers, Teagasc Knowledge Transfer Specialists/Advisors to support effective dissemination of research findings to advisers and stakeholders.

• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.

• Actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.

• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.

• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a QQI Level 8 degree in physics, chemistry, soil science or environmental science or related discipline.

• Experience in the use of stable isotopes, isotope ratio mass spectroscopy (IRMS) and eddy covariance techniques.

Skills

• Excellent field and laboratory skills, organizational skills, report writing, data analysis and statistical analysis skills.

• Excellent one-to-one and group communication skills (farmers, students, colleagues, stakeholders). Good team working skills.

• Excellent ability to plan, organize, manage and schedule work effectively.

• Good organizational skills, include people management.

• Strong ICT skills.

• Development expertise in the use of advanced techniques for quantifying carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils.

• Development of isotope ratio mass spectroscopy methods for C and N tracing, eddy covariance equipment and post-processing software (EddyPro and TOVI).

• Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.

• Record of contributing to successful research grants.

Knowledge

• Methods and techniques for measuring greenhouse gas emissions from soil.

• Soil carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry and the use of stable isotopes.

• Understanding of agricultural systems

• Familiarity with temperate grassland management and ruminant-dominated agricultural systems.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.

• Self-motivated with an ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions.

• Results driven, with an ability to prioritise tasks effectively.

• Strong focus on goal setting, performance delivery and accountability.

• Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.

• Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.

• Flexible with an openness to change and an ability to adapt to changing priorities.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work.

• A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.

Other

As this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.

Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process